GOP YouTube Debate Moves a Step Closer to Reality

07 Aug, 2007

GOP YouTube Debate Moves a Step Closer to Reality

Posted by: Rob Bluey In: Clippings| Politics

Eric Pfeiffer reports in the Washington Times that “Republican presidential candidates are backing off their objections to participating in the unconventional YouTube debate,” meaning that while it won’t take place on Sept. 17, it will happen. It’ll most likely to take place in November or December, which could make it one of the more pivotal debates before the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary.

Patrick Ruffini and I are quoted in the article, lauding the work of conservatives who pressured Republican candidates to not walk away from this historic opportunity to reach America’s youth. (Patrick deserves the credit for his Save the Debate petition.) Meanwhile, Soren Dayton thinks there’s a tremendous opportunity for Republicans to use this debate to their advantage. One way is to submit your question today.

1 Response to "GOP YouTube Debate Moves a Step Closer to Reality"

1 | PaulC

August 7th, 2007 at 5:28 pm

I find it hard to believe that it took not only the advent of the Internet, but the soaring popularity of online video and user-generated content to have a debate where questions are legitimately posed to candidates from the public. (Although, still heavily filtered through the media.)

Regardless of party affiliation, it’s gimmicky and a blatant attempt to just grab ratings. At best, it generates interest in the electoral process. At worst, meaning is lost in the gimmick, and the media manipulates content to either tug at heart strings or send a subtle message. Campaign managers manipulate their candidates and messages even further to ‘cash in’ on the medium.

One could feasibly point to Bill Clinton’s appearance on MTV in the 90’s, but despite some of the candid and casual questions, compared to the last YouTube debate, it was chock full of substance.

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